Alameda: Officers probe ID theft cases

Police are investigating a report that someone used another individual's bank card information to make Safeway purchases at Alameda South Shore Center.

The incident was reported about 12:50 a.m. Nov. 7. The same day an identity theft case was also reported about 6:20 p.m. on Evans Court, where someone used the victim's name and address to register a vehicle with the DMV, police said. It followed another case about 10 minutes earlier in the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue, where someone used the resident's personal information to apply for credit.

People can take steps to avoid becoming identity theft victims, police say. Among the steps are not giving out your Social Security Number unless you are sure it is for a legitimate purpose and shredding used or unwanted credit card applications, as well other documents that contain your personal information.

People should also be wary of unsolicited contact via phone or computer from someone seeking credit or personal information. Police also recommend keeping copies of your credit card numbers and the contact phone numbers of the issuers in a secure location so that if your actual card is lost or stolen, you can more quickly close the account.

THURSDAY, NOV. 7

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE -- A vehicle stolen in Oakland was recovered about 12:20 a.m. at Central Avenue and Crown Drive. Police also said vehicles were reported stolen about 7:45 a.m. in the 1300 block of Webster Street; about 9:15 p.m. in the 2900 block of Fillmore Street; and about 7:45 a.m. in the 1300 block of Webster Street.

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PETTY THEFT -- Someone entered a backyard in the 1300 block of Eastshore Drive through a side gate and stole a bicycle. The theft was reported about 12:50 a.m. An abandoned bicycle was reported at the same time and the same location. A bicycle was also reported stolen about 6:45 a.m. from a garage in the 3200 block of Encinal Avenue. About an hour later a bike was found abandoned in a front yard on the same block, police said.

BURGLARY -- A burglar who entered an unlocked residence in the 2200 block of Pacific Avenue and stole a wallet later used the victim's credit cards to make purchases, said police, who learned about the case just before 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, NOV. 8

BURGLARY -- Someone stole property from a storage locker in the 1900 block of Sherman Street in what police have classified as a commercial burglary. The theft was reported about 8:40 a.m.

PETTY THEFT -- A thief who stole two bicycles from a driveway in the 1100 block of Pearl Street apparently abandoned a bicycle nearby. Police learned about the incident about 8:33 a.m.

PETTY THEFT -- Someone stole gas from a vehicle parked in the 1600 block of Moreland Drive and searched the interior for valuables before fleeing the scene. It was reported about 10:30 a.m. Another petty theft was reported just before 1 p.m. in the 2000 block of Alameda Avenue, where a thief stole $20 and a computer from a truck, police said. Thieves also broke windows and stole property from inside vehicles Nov. 6 in the 2400 block of Central Avenue; the 800 block of West Tower Avenue; the 2200 block of Mariner Square Loop; and the 2300 block of Alameda South Shore Center, police said.

BURGLARY -- Cash was stolen after a burglar broke into a storage room at an apartment complex in the 1600 block of Bay Street. The break-in was discovered about 9:35 a.m., police said. A burglary was also reported about 1:45 p.m. in the 2100 block of Pacific Avenue, where someone entered an apartment and stole jewelry.

DRUG POSSESSION -- Police arrested a man, 40, in the 1400 block of Webster Street just before 11 p.m. after he was found allegedly carrying suspected methamphetamine and narcotics paraphernalia.